UPMC to pay $1.35 million in lawsuit over fatal mold infection

UPMC Presbyterian has agreed to pay $1.35 million to the family of Tracy A. Fisher who developed a deadly toxic mold infection at the hospital in September 2014 after she had heart transplant surgery in June. She died in October.

Tracy A. Fischer, 47, of Erie, was one of four transplant patients who contracted mold infections at the hospital in 2014 or 2015. All four patients died and the mold outbreak led to a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigation last fall that is ongoing.

All four of the patients families had sued the hospital and rightfully so.

Just imagine how many hospitals have mold problems that lead to the death of their patients…

UPMC had placed a provision in the settlement prohibiting the family or lawyer from commenting on the case.

UPMC said in an emailed statement Thursday: “We again extend our sympathy to the family of Ms. Fischer and appreciate their graciousness.”